Woodland Creek: The Beast Within & Gargoyle

Welcome to Woodland Creek, a town full of secrets and Shifters. This new innovative series brings together 30 authors, 30 shifter stories, each with a guaranteed Happily Ever After. To see the full tour schedule, click here.

I received this book via the author, . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

The Beast Within Series: Woodland Creek
Published by Self Publish on 2015-11-15
Length: 138 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:

"Passion ignites and pasts collide, when the beast comes out to play"

Trapped in an abusive relationship for two years, leaving could prove deadly for Becca Kian. But when she’s pushed a step too far, Becca has no choice but to flee. After an accident that leaves her unconscious, Becca wakes to find herself in the cabin of a man who’s as entrancing as he is dangerous. Because this man makes her want to dream — dream of a world where Alex Scar doesn’t exist.

Both Minotaur and human, Aster Tavros is a shifter in hiding. Living in Woodland Creek, he’s made no effort to form relationships, too afraid to allow others to see his true nature. Because when they do, they run. Yet when Becca comes crashing into his life, he ignores every one of his rules. Passion ignites between them, but when secrets and pasts collide, Aster has a choice. He can hide his identity, or reveal his true self to save Becca, all the while, risking losing her forever…

The Beast Within by Rachel M. Raithby was the first book in the Woodland Creek series I picked up. Becca Kian is on the run after killing a man and escaping her drug lord boyfriend. Aster Tavros is a shifter in hiding and struggles daily to keep his beast in check. When the two collide on the road, Becca awakens something in Aster he himself runs from.

So I’m not sure how I felt about this particular book. Becca is a strong character and can definitely hold her own. She’s seen monsters in her past and recognizes them in others, so Aster doesn’t scare her in the slightest. In fact she feels safe with him, after only knowing him a few days. But she has this constant fear of being found by her ex. She wants to run, but then she’s happy for the first time in a really long time. I kinda struggled with her. I wanted her to trust Aster and come clean, tell the truth and see what happened. I rooted for her and even weeped for her at times.

Aster is…just wow! He’s a minotaur, which this is the first book I’ve ever read with a minotaur shifter. He’s honestly one scary dude. Yet his human side is the complete opposite. He’s kind, caring, and protective, even if he has a bit of a temper. Like Becca, he’s also running. He’s running from relationships after he’s seen them fail time and again when the partner realizes what he truly is. BUT when Becca crashes into his life, he ignores all those run-for-the-hills feelings he usually has in an effort to get to know her. Can you tell I like him?! He wants to show her his true self, his beast, but he is afraid which is a bit endearing if you ask me.

Plot wise, there really wasn’t one. You have some significant insta-love with Aster and Becca. There’s also the threat of Becca’s ex coming for them. But really there was no driving plot for this story which is why I don’t really know how I feel about it. There is some excellent romance, bordering on the erotic side (fair warning), and there is the constant suspense of will Aster show Becca his beast side, but nothing to drive the story.

Overall I thought The Beast Within was just okay. I really liked the characters and the setting, a secluded cabin in the woods (can it get any more romantic?!), but the plot was lacking. If you enjoy paranormal romance, than you’ll probably enjoy this novella. Warning though there are some erotic scenes and a pretty graphic gory scene towards the end so consider yourself warned if you pick up the book!

Final Conclusion:

Gargoyle by Scarlett Dawn
Series: Woodland Creek
Published by Self Publish on 2015-11-15
Length: 125 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:

A shifter made of stone. And wings.
A human bent on free love. And drunk.
Any joke could be made with those two lines.

But the town of Woodland Creek, it's no laughing matter. Hostile and magical residents guard their secrets. It's too easy to be found out.

When Isaac Stone first meets Kennedy Kirk, he's tempted to shove her off the clock tower. After all, she is gripping his private parts to lean over and see his town. One little push is all it would take...

Isaac never anticipated he'd be the one to fall.

So I’m a huge fan of Scarlett Dawn and she never ceases to surprise me! Gargoyle her novella in the Woodland Creek series left me reeling! It was like nothing I’ve ever read and while parts HORRIFIED me, I couldn’t stop reading!!!

After nearly falling to her death in a druken stupor, Kennedy Kirk’s eyes are opened to the shifter world surrounding her in Woodland Creek. She’s a human surrounded by supernatural beings that admittedly hate humans. Her life is constantly in danger and yet she perseveres through it all. I like Kennedy. She’s brutally honest and not much scares her, not even the hunky mayor.

Issac Stone, the mayor of Woodland Creek, is a gargoyle, raised to hate humans and feels superior to the other shifters. He’s cocky, arrogant, and on a whole new level of manipulative creep. I’ll be honest I didn’t think I’d like him at first. I mean during the prologue of the book he contemplates pushing Kennedy of the clock tower, granted she’s holding onto his private parts while she hangs over the edge, but still. She didn’t know he was alive! But I digress, Issac takes his job as mayor seriously. Investigating and putting himself at risk to save his town.

The plot revolves around this chance encounter between Issac and Kennedy after some magical pulse creates a…um…hmm…how do I explain what happens?! I don’t know if I can so just trust me and read it! Someone in Woodland Creek is tampering and playing with dark magic. This magic is effecting all the residents in not a good way. Something has to be done, they have to find who is causing it and Issac may need Kennedy to help him do it.

Overall I was impressed with the author’s ability to keep me guessing and surprising me at every turn! Seriously I don’t know how she came up with this story but it is definitely not one that I will forget anytime soon. I do feel I should warn you that this is a new adult book with some very steamy sexual scenes and strong language, so over 18 only please 😉 If you enjoy paranormal romance, than definitely check out this book!

Final Conclusion:

Check out the rest of the books in Woodland Creek!

Sibilance by Aria Kane — This sexy trickster won’t let Sophia Samson slither out of his life so easily. Amazon | Goodreads

Crow’s Caw at Nightmoon Creek by Calinda B — All she can think about is his naked body in the woods last night…and how he murdered her best friend. Amazon | Goodreads

Running Free by K Webster — Can Frankie prove her innocence with a sexy detective hot on her trail? Amazon | Goodreads

Broken Wings by Mindy Larson – Love, secrets and lies make for a thrilling ride in Broken Wings. Amazon | Goodreads

Mina’s Revenge by J.M. Witt — Her powers are changing and they’re more than the bloodline inheritance from her mother. Amazon

Zenko by J. Rose Alexander — Blaze Riordan must find Melody Hastings before Halloween–and only a little red fox can help him do it. Amazon

The Scarlett Legacy by K.N. Lee — All Evie wanted was to escape her family’s secret…and then Avalon walked into town. Amazon

Sinful Instincts by J.D. Hollyfield — She was his temptation, and he was her ultimate Sin. Amazon

Moonlit Feathers by Sarah Makela — After faced with crippling loss, a heartbroken raven must find her wings again…. Amazon | Goodreads

Hounded by Tasha Black — This dog is about to have his day… Amazon

Dearborn by Jenni Moen — I craved normalcy, to fall in love with someone untouched by the magic of Woodland Creek, but not as much as I craved him. Amazon | Goodreads

The Good Girl’s Guide to Being a Demon by April Aasheim — What’s a good girl to do when she starts developing horns, and a hunger? Amazon

Blind Trust by Raci Ames — When Pia goes blind she must learn to trust what her heart can see, even if it means falling in love with two different shifters. Amazon | Goodreads

Dragon’s Web by Lia Davis — One sexy dragon, two strong-willed females, a family scandal, murder, and a love that requires plenty of ice. Amazon | Goodreads

Wicked Jackal by Cherie Marks — The freedom to choose her fate is all she wants, but can she resist the draw of one wicked jackal? Amazon | Goodreads

One Insatiable by Tia Louise — One wounded panther, one restless lynx, one insatiable hunger. Amazon | Goodreads

Dream Catcher by M.C. Cerny — Happenstance brought Kerri Harper to Woodland Creek, but will she stay for the wolf intent on mending her broken heart? Amazon

The Viking’s Curse by Xandra James — He was supposed to keep me alive after I was marked for death, but hiring the meanest Viking shifter in town might just kill me. Amazon | Goodreads

Tour-Wide Giveaway

There are three amazing prizes for this blog tour!

• Always Loyal, a Michael Stokes photography book
• Exhibition, a Michael Stokes photography book
• $20 Giftcard to your choice of Amazon, B&N, or Starbucks

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